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Relationships

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

I'm not happy and feel generally uneasy

89 replies

Generalunease · 17/01/2012 00:17

I've been with dh for nearly nine years and married for seven and a half of those. We've had our problems along the way but (due to me ignoring lots if things) we've generally done ok. However recently I feel really lonely and fed up and all the things I've buried and ignored are bothering me.

He has always been a difficult character in that he us very moody and prone to bouts of sullenness and sulking, the smallest thing can set him off for example I was on the phone once to a friend and our online grocery delivery arrived. She was upset so i carried on talking to her and he got the hump that I didn't help him and stormed out the house and drove to the shop to get some beer. At the weekend he went of on one because the Avon lady came and I asked him to answer the door and give her the money. I feel line I walk on eggshells with him.

The next issue is that he had an uneasy relationship with booze, I think he drinks too much and for the wrong reasons. It makes me uncomfortable but as I am not a big drinker I dont know if I'm making toouch of this?

Sex has been a problem for me in that I feel like we only ever have sex on his terms, when we first met he would freeze whenever I tried to try it on with him or try anything on him to the point now I only have sex when he instigates it and won't suggest any things to try as I don't like the rejection. My self esteem has been ruined as a result, he never kisses me or says he loves me or pays me compliments and he is only affectionate when he wants sex. I feel so unattractive.

Communication is dreadful, I can't discuss anything with him -literally. If I try and discuss something he finds difficult he'll walk away from me and refuse to discuss it whilst getting angry and defensive if I try and continue. I can't share my thoughts with him for fear if this rejection. When I had PND after DC2 he never asked if I was ok and how I was doing and when I had CBT for chronic anxiety he never once asked how it was going. We relocated here three years ago when DC2 was six months old and I had PND, I dealt with all the house moving stuff - estate agent, solicitor, removals etc. He didn't/couldn't do it and I felt so resentful that I had to do it all with a toddler and newborn. When I phoned him crying because our dreadful purchasers were being a pain he had a go at me and put the phone down on me, he called me two hours later drunk and expecting things to be ok.

I have been on anti depressants since the end of November for chronic anxiety, I feel so much better but now I reel Luke this I wonder how much of the anxiety is due to him or is it me?

I feel sad to think this is what the rest of my life be like and when my three children leave home what will I have left :(

OP posts:
Generalunease · 17/01/2012 00:18

Apologies fir the essay and name change, I have been on here since 2006 and don't want to be recognised.

OP posts:
AnyFucker · 17/01/2012 00:23

What a miserable relationship you have, OP

I feel really bad for you

He sounds horrible, and very very lacking in some way

I truly can think of no reason why it would be a good idea to stay with someone who makes you so very sad and lonely while still living in the same house

I can see nothing he brings to the table

Can you think of anything ?

Generalunease · 17/01/2012 00:27

You've made me cry AF :(

I think people would be really shocked if we separated, everyone thinks he's a lovely bloke and he is - on his terms. I was going to say he is a great Dad but again on his terms. As long as the children are behaving and being good, he can't cope with them if they are misbehaving or needing something at night. I've done all the nights since they were born. I cried at the weekend because my eldest asked me why daddy is always grumpy and my middle one asked why daddy always shouts at him :(

OP posts:
Generalunease · 17/01/2012 00:29

I think his issues stem from a bullying, critical father which means he has major problems with intimacy and criticism. His dad is also borderline alcoholic.

OP posts:
tallwivglasses · 17/01/2012 00:29

I'm not an expert but didn't want to read and run. Sometimes I think men need it drummed into them before they sit up and take notice. Communication is poor - so if you think this is worth saving you'll find a way of spelling out in words of one syllable communicating that you're bloody serious here! (not just having a winge Hmm )

Then, if you're nice you'll give him a deadline while you keep your options open and quietly work on plan 'B'

I think you've been very patient so far.

AnyFucker · 17/01/2012 00:29

You made me cry first, OP Sad

he isn't a good dad, love

AnyFucker · 17/01/2012 00:30

have you ever calmly informed him that he is turning into his father ?

Portofino · 17/01/2012 00:34

I am with AF like seemingly always on this. You have to tell him this is not acceptable behaviour. He needs to UNDERSTAND that. Or you are better off without him.....

Generalunease · 17/01/2012 00:35

I have said that to him and it makes him go off into a massive sulk. Three weeks before we got married I almost cancelled the wedding and a year after we got married I had relationship counselling in my own and was about to leave when I found out I was pregnant with DD1.

I was widowed before him and sometimes I feel so sad as the last thing DH1 said to me was to be happy. I feel I have failed him :( hw was a wonderful husband and I loved him so much, I don't know if I love DH2 and that scares me.

OP posts:
Generalunease · 17/01/2012 00:38

I want to tell him all this but I know how he'll react but I guess I have no choice as the alternative is just walking away and I don't think I'm brave enough. I feel trapped as I am a SAHM and couldn't afford to live independently financially, we gave a huge mortgage.Also because of my anxiety issues I don't think I could cope being a lone parent.

OP posts:
joanofarchitrave · 17/01/2012 00:40

Your post is very sad.

I wonder about the better times in your marriage and what they were like. I'm not thinking you have to put up with this kind of crap indefinitely. But I do wonder if, when you start bringing up all the stuff you have ignored and buried, whether things might shift in your marriage to the point where it functions again? It's certainly possible.

TBH, is there much to lose at the moment? If he can't handle you changing and becoming more assertive, then your relationship won't last, because what human being could live like this indefinitely?

I can say that the best moments in our marriage come when (well, shortly after) I actually turn on my heel and confront my husband and say how angry I am and how I feel. It's incredible how much anger can drain away and become irrelevant when things change, but they really do have to change, that boil has to be lanced, it can't be smoothed over. Please do use the better mood and rise in energy you have worked to achieve?

Portofino · 17/01/2012 00:41

(((hugs)))). Sometimes you are stronger than you think though.

AnyFucker · 17/01/2012 00:45

you are going to make me cry again...

what about counselling again ? Could you confide in someone close to you ? Contrary to what you think, not everyone is fooled by a public mask of reasonable husband/father

Some perceptive people see through it, you would be surprised. these men give clues away all the time.

You sound so lonely and defeated

How about seeing your GP to get any meds you are already on adjusted/get referred for something to help ?

if you cannot talk to him how you are feeling, you have massive problems

sulking and stonnewalling is controlling behaviour, it is calculated to make you STFU

SittingBull · 17/01/2012 00:50

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

EldritchCleavage · 17/01/2012 00:50

You're already a lone parent, lovey, in that you are doing all the difficult and important stuff on your own, by the sounds of it.
You did the house move by yourself with a toddler and a newborn, notwithstanding some pretty serious health issues. So I think that, if you decide to do it, you will be able to cope on your own.
You say you have chronic anxiety-do you think that the nature of your relationship with your DH has caused or contributed to this? It is possible that being without him would be very very good for your health.
All that said, it has to be worth a last try to improve things (if only for your own peace of mind, to know that you did try).
Perhaps not by seeking to discuss things but setting out clearly what you want and telling DH you simply refuse to accept the status quo any longer.

Generalunease · 17/01/2012 00:51

In response to better times I think they were better because I ignored the underlying problems and accepted them because I was too busy/distracted to acknowledge it. I was going to say my honeymoon was pretty good but he had a massive sulk and refused to drive the car because he didnt like the look of it(we jointly booked a four by four driving holiday in Iceland) and I ended up driving 1000k inten days in my own because he couldn't cope with it. I booked a five star hotel at the airport before we flew and wire some expensive undies. He got all shirty as I tried it on sexually with him, I cried in the bathroom.

I'm seeing my sister on Thursday evening and am wondering whether i should show her thus thread?

OP posts:
AnyFucker · 17/01/2012 00:53

How do you think she will react if you do ?

Generalunease · 17/01/2012 00:53

The controlling comment had touched a raw nerve, I have often wondered if I am being controlled and that is why I feel uneasy?? Eek.

OP posts:
joanofarchitrave · 17/01/2012 00:54

I think you should certainly talk to her.

The big surprise to me after I left my first husband was that nobody else was surprised.

Generalunease · 17/01/2012 00:54

(excuse the spelling errors, I'm up with Dd2 as she is teething and typing one handed on my iPod)

OP posts:
Generalunease · 17/01/2012 00:55

I think she'll be furious, she separated from her H last year as he was controlling and emotionally abusive :(

OP posts:
AnyFucker · 17/01/2012 00:56

The more you say about him, the more I think he is the one that does not and would not cope with a split

and that you, after initial sadness and not-inconsiderable anxiety, would actually bloom

I beleive that your mental health difficulties are because of him...it would certainly be worth exploring with a counsellor just how much his mistreatment of you contributes to your anxiety

AnyFucker · 17/01/2012 00:56

Then talk to her, if you feel she will be supportive

Generalunease · 17/01/2012 01:03

I think he is passive aggressive, how do you deal with that?

I've been through so much sadness in my life, divorce seems like I have failed again :( :(

OP posts:
maras2 · 17/01/2012 01:06

General.You must know that he's not a nice man.How on earth can you live day to day with such a mardy bum?His moods are grinding you down.I'm not qualified to give you practical advice but your post tugged at my heart strings.I hate to think that anyone can be so unhappy due to a sulky,childish partner who doesn't appreciate what he's got.And as to being rejected when offering your love in a sexual advance,how dare he ?Pig.Good advice here from AF.Please heed.Wishing you the best. Mx.